Two Trains Per Hour ‘Not good enough for a world class city’ Lewisham Council Response to Rail Changes

27/12/2016cllralanhallBlogComments Off on Two Trains Per Hour ‘Not good enough for a world class city’ Lewisham Council Response to Rail Changes

Lewisham Council has responded to the Govia Thameslink Railway – GTR – consultation which sets out proposed changes to the timetable following the completion of the Thameslink Programme.

An urgent meeting of the Public Transport Liaison Committee was called on Tuesday 6th December with representatives from the Cinderella Line campaign group, Forest Hill Society and Sydenham Society who joined councillors in considering Lewisham Council’s formal response which is published now.

Lewisham’s Lead Non Executive Councillor Alan Hall said: “I have said that two trains per hour on the Catford Loop Line are not good enough for a world class city like London. I am pleased that after years of campaigning we will see an increase in trains. I am optimistic that extra South Eastern trains will stop along the line to boost capacity at peak times. There is more work to do but this puts us on the right track.”

The formal response raises concerns that there will be a reduction in services along the Brockley, Forest Hill and Sydenham Line from London Bridge and a diversion of trains away from East Croydon to West Croydon. It says:

“Our impression is that the changes to the Catford Loop services do not go far enough, nor do they align sufficiently with wider train services. Furthermore, other changes proposed, such as on the Sydenham line, have a sharply detrimental effect on residents. The Council’s response is set out according to the specific questions posed in the consultation.”